Pelargonium plant named ‘Pacpemarymex’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct flowering  Pelargonium  plant with big, double, and stable bi-colored flowers.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium peltatum.

Varietal denomination: ‘Pacpemarymex’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium peltatum known by the varietal name ‘Pacpemarymex’. The newvariety was discovered in a planned breeding program in Dresden, Germanyin the summer of 2012. The purpose of the breeding program was todevelop bi-colored, semi-double flowering Ivy pelargoniums (geraniums)with a stable flower pattern. The new variety is the result of acrossing a bulk of different genotypes to obtain big, double flowerswith a solid merlot-red color and good heat resistance. Cuttings from anew merlot-red colored pelargonium seedling with the best floweringcharacteristics and best growth habit were then grafted on ‘Pacshim’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,975) to transfer the flower pattern ofbi-colored stripes of ‘Pacshim’ to the grafts. When the grafted tipsthat flowered were also bi-colored, cuttings were made from the scionand planted. The rooted plantings are the source of the new varietynamed ‘Pacpemarymex’ that is genetically different from ‘Pacshim’.

The new variety is similar to ‘Pacpemary’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,634)in trailing habit, leaf size, and flower size. However, ‘Pacpemary’ onlyexhibits purple-red (61A) colored petals, while ‘Pacpemarymex’ hasbi-colored petals with white margins and purple-red (61A) coloredstripes. The new variety was first asexually reproduced in November of2012 by cuttings in Dresden, Germany. The new variety has been trial andfield tested in Dresden and has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations.

The following characteristics further distinguish the new variety fromother pelargonium varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   Stable, bi-colored flowers;    -   Big, double flowers;    -   Strong vigor;    -   Good trailing habit;    -   All over season flowering; and    -   Good heat stability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

FIG. 1 illustrates an entire flowering plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions and carried out in a greenhouse fromwinter through summer in Dresden, Germany The new variety was grown in a19 cm pot, with treatment of Cycocel® 720 0.2% five times, and twopinchings. The readings and measurements were taken on a 9-month oldplant in a room with a window, but without direct sunlight or artificiallight. Color references are primarily to the 1995 edition of The R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots (days, temperature): About 21 days at about    18-20° C.-   Time to develop roots (days, temperature): About 28 days at about    18-20° C.-   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:    About 12 weeks in a 12 cm container.    -   -   Type.—Ivy.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching roots.        -   Form.—Trailing.        -   Height from media surface to top of foliage.—25 cm.        -   Height from media surface to top of flowers.—34 cm.        -   Plant diameter.—55 cm.        -   Vigor.—Medium.        -   Strength (need for artificial support).—Long branches need            support in production.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching.        -   Stem.—Main stem length: 55 cm. Diameter: 6 mm. Color: 148A.            Texture: Slightly rough. Pubescence: Light. Internode            length: 2.5 cm.        -   Lateral branches.—Length: Primary: 20 cm. Secondary: 10 cm.            Diameter: Primary: 4 mm. Secondary: 3 mm. Internode length:            25 mm. Texture: Slightly rough. Pubescence: Light. Color:            144A.        -   Foliage.—Arrangement: Mainly opposite, sometimes alternate.            Stipules: Size: Length: 10 mm. Width: 7 mm. Color: 146A.            Zone: Location: 2 cm from margin. Color: 200B on young            leaves, but is lost after maturity. Size of leaf: Length:            3.5 cm. Width: 6 cm. Shape of leaf (generally): Ivy shaped.            Shape of apex: Cuneate. Shape of base: Closed and joined            together. Texture: Leathery. Aspect: Glossy. Margin type:            Lobed and entire. Pubescence: Upper surface: Very light.            Lower surface: Very light. Color: Young leaves: Upper            surface: 147A. Lower surface: 146A. Mature leaves: Upper            surface: 147A. Lower surface: 146A. Petiole: Length: 35 mm.            Diameter: 2 mm. Color: 144A. Veins: Venation type: Palmate.            Color: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface: 144A.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Bud:    -   -   Stage of development when bud characteristics            determined.—Before color appears.        -   Shape of cluster.—Bell-shaped.        -   Diameter of cluster.—3.5 cm.        -   Number of buds per cluster.—8.        -   Shape of individual bud.—Spindle-shaped to round.        -   Length of individual bud.—10 mm.        -   Width of individual bud.—6 mm.-   Natural flowering season: Spring until frost in moderate climates.-   Blooming habit: Continuous, with early blooming.-   Umbel diameter: 8 cm.-   Umbel depth: 5 cm.-   Borne: Umbel, flowers on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle.-   Inflorescence position: Above foliage.-   Number of inflorescences per lateral branch: About 3 at the same    time.-   Lastingness of an individual flower: 6-10 days.-   Florets:    -   -   Form.—Flat.        -   Number per umbel.—8.        -   Diameter.—45 mm.        -   Depth.—25 mm.-   Petals:    -   -   Color.—Upper surface: Margin and stripes are 61A, fading to            approximately NN155C (2007 edition of The R.H.S. Colour            Chart) in between. Lower surface: Approximately NN155C (2007            edition of The R.H.S. Colour Chart) with a margin of 64B,            more or less no stripes present.        -   Shape.—Obovate.        -   Length.—28 mm.        -   Width.—17 mm.        -   Apex shape.—Round.        -   Base shape.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Number per floret.—13.        -   Texture.—Velvety.        -   Tonality from a distance.—Bi-colored merlot/white.-   Petaloids:    -   -   Quantity.—1-2.        -   Shape.—Irregular.        -   Color (upper and lower surface).—64B and approximately            NN155C (2007 edition of The R.H.S. Colour Chart).        -   Length.—10 mm.        -   Width.—4 mm.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—25 mm.        -   Diameter.—1 mm.        -   Color.—144A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—10 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Texture.—Sticky and a little rough.        -   Color.—144A.-   Fragrance: None.-   Disease resistance: Unknown.-   Temperature tolerance: Good heat stability.-   Drought tolerance: Medium.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number (per flower).—8.        -   Filament.—Length: 10 mm. Color: Approximately NN155C (2007            edition of The R.H.S. Colour Chart).        -   Anthers.—Shape: Elongated; short tube. Length: 2 mm. Color:            187A.        -   Pollen.—Color: 171A. Amount: Numerous.-   Pistils:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—10 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 4 mm. Color: Approximately NN155C (2007            edition of The R.H.S. Colour Chart).        -   Stigma.—Shape: Actinomorphic, 5-6 parted. Color: 187A. Size:            2 mm.        -   Ovaries.—Texture: Pubescence present. Length: 4 mm. Width:            2 mm. Color: 147D.

FRUIT/SEED

-   Fruit/seed description: None observed.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Pelargonium plantsubstantially as is herein described and illustrated.